Prior to Deathloop’s release, it almost became a running gag (in a good way) that it would be at every major PlayStation event and showcase. The game was heavily marketed, and that’s not a bad thing. Many Deathloop reviews highly praised the game, and many consider it an early must-play on PS5.
However, the gag was funny for this and one other reason. The running gag lasted so long that Deathloop trended online after a State of Play announcement—after it was already released—because many joked about it being there. The fact that it’s also a Microsoft title just added to the sheer hilarity and peculiarity of the situation.
Deathloop has been pretty quiet since release, though. That's not to say Arkane hasn't been hard at work on providing updates for Deathloop and no doubt developing its next game, Redfall—a Left 4 Dead-inspired co-op shooter against vampires and cultists. But this silence may very well come to an end next month.
Xbox and Bethesda Games Showcase Date and Details
Microsoft recently announced the Xbox and Bethesda Games Showcase for June 12 at 10 am PT/12 pm CT. Not only does it intend to showcase various games in development, but it’s also set to reveal a new slate of Xbox Game Pass titles. This is exciting, especially for fans of Starfield which will no doubt have a huge presence there.
However, that’s one game out of a massive in-development library to show off. What’s all there remains to be seen, and there are certainly developers/games that probably won’t be there. That said, rumor has it that nearly every Xbox first-party studio, including those at Bethesda, will have something at the showcase. This naturally includes Arkane Studios.
Xbox and Bethesda Games Showcase: Arkane Studios
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Arkane Studios’ Redfall is scheduled for a summer 2022 release, meaning the chances of it being at the showcase are already high. Arkane is likely to show off guns, abilities, gameplay, story elements, and even a release date. Redfall could release in June, August, or September to make it a summer 2022 release, so hitting the marketing heavy would be a wise move. But Arkane could have more to show off, specifically regarding Deathloop.
Truly, Deathloop has two avenues into the Xbox and Bethesda Showcase. Arkane could talk about it during its segment, revealing its Xbox release date and potentially new DLC coming to the game. Deathloop’s timed exclusivity ends on September 14, and while there could be some agreement preventing Xbox or Arkane from talking about it ahead of then, that doesn’t seem too likely. At the very least, it doesn't likely prevent much marketing close to a potential release.
Once that’s over, Microsoft and Arkane can incentivize players by offering new content (whether that content is also on PS5 is a question, though), and it would explain the general silence around potential Deathloop DLC since launch. Perhaps players could even get a date for this. But the second avenue into the Xbox and Bethesda showcase is the most promising: Xbox Game Pass.
Deathloop and Xbox Game Pass
Deathloop may only be on PS5 console-wise, but it is a first-party Microsoft title. This means it will launch on Xbox Game Pass once it’s put on the platform. Now, that exclusivity may end on September 14, but that doesn’t mean it’ll join on September 15. It could, or it could be later, but since Microsoft intends to discuss upcoming games for Xbox Game Pass, it only makes sense to bring Deathloop into that discussion.
It does seem likely, at the very least, that Deathloop arrives on Xbox Game Pass before the end of the year. This means Xbox owners will be able to get the game effectively free, and shipping new DLC alongside that would only incentivize players to check it out even more. There are those out there with a PS5 and Xbox Series X, after all, and Microsoft/Arkane would need a reason for players to potentially play it again on Xbox Series X.
The idea of Deathloop launching on Xbox Game Pass with DLC later this year isn’t without precedent, either. It’s not a Microsoft first-party title, but the former PlayStation exclusive Bugsnax launched on Xbox Game Pass on April 28 (as well as Switch). With it came a free new content update called the Isle of Bigsnax, which added around three hours of new content on an island of giant Bugsnax. If anything, it only makes sense to do this with Deathloop too, especially since this is a first-party title.
Microsoft has not confirmed what will be there, and it likely won’t spill all the beans heading into it. Still, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Colt and Julianna appear on that stage.
Deathloop is available now for PC and PS5.